2019 3rd International Conference on Recent Developments in Control, Automation & Power Engineering (RDCAPE)
Impact of Solar Photovoltaic Penetration
In Distribution Network
Authors : Ram Singh1, Pushkar Tripathi2, Kuwar Yatendra3
Electrical Engineering Department, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, India
Abstract: - The integration of Renewable Energy
Generation to the grid steadily being growing due to
environmental awareness, green energy evolution and
incentives from the government. Most of the RES
integrated to the distribution system in the form of
distributed Photovoltaic(PV). As seen from the last few
years the integration of PV at residential distribution
network increases rapidly and it is expected to further
increase in the penetration level with growth of RES,
causing some undesirable impact on the distribution
system such as over voltage, voltage fluctuations and
reverse power flow to the grid.
A IEEE 13bus test case by EPRI has taken for the
distribution system impact analysis in terms of voltage
performance and system losses. The distribution system is
modelled in the OpenDSS (Open Distribution System
Simulator) and interfacing has done with MATLAB to
investigate the effect of PV penetration at the distribution
system. A comparative study of with and without PV is
shown and several PV integration scenarios are discussed
with different penetration level. Further mitigation
methods are proposed to overcome the power quality.
Keyword - Solar Photovoltaic, Distributed Generation,
Open Distribution system simulator (OpenDSS),
I. INTRODUCTION
The growth of the solar PV integration in distribution
system is continuously being increasing. In recent years
the number of solar Photovoltaic (PV) integration in
distribution system has steadily being increased and it is
expected to increase continuously with the growth of
renewable energy due to green energy evolution,
environmental awareness and incentives from the
government and increased energy prices [1]. Solar PV
generation is a better option of electricity generation
because it is a sustainable source of energy and produce
pollution free electricity [2]. Distributed PV generation
is well known for its positive contribution Technically,
environmentally and economically. It can provide
various advantages to the electrical distribution system
such as improved power quality and grid reliability,
reduction in Transmission and Distribution losses etc.
[3]. Due to continuous growth of distributed PV
generation and its penetration in the medium voltage
(MV) and low voltage (LV) distribution network, the
system is negatively affected [4].
978-1-7281-2068-3/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE
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However, since the present distribution network is
radial network designed for unidirectional power flow, a
high penetration of PV may cause of several power
quality issues to the system such as voltage rise, voltage
fluctuation and reverse power flow. The integration of
solar PV can cause of bidirectional power flow which
make the distribution system an active network [5][6].
The existing distribution network was designed without
consideration of distributed PV integration. There are
different technical concerns from utility regarding
power quality and general impact of high penetration of
PV on low voltage distribution network [7].
The voltage is an important parameter for the electrical
distribution system, utility needs to regulate the voltage
within the ANSI range that the appliances and machines
connected to the system can operate well [8]. The power
output of the PV system directly dependent to the solar
irradiance coming from the sun, which is an uncertain
and varies with time, also depends on the cloud
movement.
Most of the PV impact studies are of deterministic or
probabilistic type, several case studies have been
performed on different distribution network to identify
the potential impact of PV penetration in distribution
system [9][10]–[12]. In [2][6] the potential impacts of
solar PV generation on the climate change issues are
introduced and growth of solar rooftop PV installation
and its future challenges to the distribution system are
discussed [5]. Many distribution system studies have
been carried-out to better investigate the impact of high
penetration of distributed solar PV. Research work [9],
[13], [14] presented a deterministic approach carried out
to analyse the impact of high penetration of PV in
distribution system. A detailed simulation model has
been developed by [15] for the impact analysis of high
penetration of grid interacted PV system. In [14] the
impact assessment of high penetration of PV on medium
voltage distribution network has been discussed.
II. SIMULATION TOOLS AND
METHODOLOGY
This section describes the methodology and simulation
tools used to carried out the research work. The
distribution system simulation tool OpenDSS (Open
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 2019 3rd International Conference on Recent Developments in Control, Automation & Power Engineering (RDCAPE)

Distribution System Simulator) and well-known used for the impact analysis of high penetration of PV in
software MATLAB have been used for the analysis of the distribution network.
PV penetration in the distribution system. A 13-bus
A detailed diagram of the distribution feeder is shown
IEEE test distribution feeder is taken for the study and
in Figure 2.
different integration scenarios has discussed with
different penetration level.
Grid
115kV
A. Distribution System Simulator-OpenDSS
Sourcebus
Distribution
It is an electrical distribution system simulation tool Transformer
that supports all frequency domain analysis performed (115/4.16kV)
650.1.2.3
for the analysis and planning distribution system. The
software provides in-built simulation models of 1-Ǿ Regulation
Transformers
Distributed Generators (DGs) such as photovoltaic Rg60.1.2.3
generator, wind generator with their control blocks, that
632.1.2.3 Transformer
can be used for the smart grid analysis and future studies (4.16/0.48kV)
[16]. 646.3.2
645.3.2
Scripts 633.1.2.3 634.1.2.3
671.1.2.3
684.1.3

COM- Main Simulation Engine

Interface
611.3 692.1.2.3
User-Written DLLs 670.1.2.3

652.1 680.1.2.3
Scripts,
Results Figure 2: IEEE 13 bus Test System [17]

The test system has the following distribution

Figure 1. OpenDSS Structure [15]
A basic nominal block diagram is shown in Figure 1.
OpenDSS is capable to be run as a stand-alone
executable program and also can be executed by the
various available software platforms as a COM
(Component Object Model) server DLL. The COM
interfacing provides the ability to the researcher to
control the solution modes and variables in the DSS
from the existing software. MATLAB, Python, C# and
other languages are used to drive the DSS [17].
The OpenDSS can used to perform power flow
solution for the medium and low voltage distribution
network because it is designed to run as a distribution
system power flow solver. The in-built models of DGs
facilitate the simulation capability for the smart grid
analysis and the impact analysis of DG integration in
distribution system. In this study, MATLAB is used to
drive the OpenDSS through COM server DLL to
investigate the impact of high penetration of PV in
distribution system [16].
B. Test System used for Study
All the impact studies have been performed on a 13-
bus IEEE test case made available by EPRI [18]. The
system includes all electrical power system component
components-
¾ Two transformers, one is connected between
Sourcebus and bus-650 to transform the
voltage level from 115kV to 4.16kV and
second is connected between bus 633 and 634
to transform the voltage level from 4.16kV to
0.48kV.
¾ The unbalanced 1-Φ and 3-Φ loads are
connected to 9 nodes and two capacitors are
also connected at bus 675 and 611.
¾ Three 1-Φ voltage regulators are incorporated
between bus 650 and rg60 to maintain the
system voltage within range.
There are five objects class of distribution components
in OpenDSS which can be categories as follows-
¾ Power Conversion Elements
¾ Power Delivery Elements
¾ Control Element
¾ Meters and
¾ General
The above listed may be single phase or multi-phase
according to the requirements for system designed.
C. OpenDSS PV System Model
In OpenDSS, an in-built simulation model is available
for solar PV system and it has the capability of

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 2019 3rd International Conference on Recent Developments in Control, Automation & Power Engineering (RDCAPE)

simulation studies for 1 sec time step and greater. The

in-built OpenDSS model of PV system combines the
Photovoltaic(PV) array and DC/AC inverter into
convenient model [16]. It is considered that the
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm
performing well to extract the maximum power from the
PV array. It can be used for Distribution System impact
studies for snap mode, daily mode and duty mode. The
PV system is modelled as a power conversion element
that produce electrical AC output power according to a
production function. A schematic diagram of PV System
Bus names based on Distance from Substation
model is shown in Figure 2.
(a)
Inverter
Effi
PV Array
P(kW)
Pmpp
@1kW/m2
Temperature(T) I
Irradiance DC
P AC P*Effi V
Irradiance Yearly
Loadshape{ Daily Inverter
Curve Duty (One-Line) Delta-Wye
or
Pmpp 1-ph
kV Conn kVAr PF

0 100℃
Figure 3: Block Diagram of OpenDSS PV System Model
Bus names based on Distance from Substation
The output active power (P) from the PV array is a (b)
function of irradiance coming from the sun, temperature
of PV array and rated maximum power (Pmpp) at an
irradiance of 1.0kW/m2 and at a selected temperature
(~27℃) [15].

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The impact analysis of PV integration in distribution
system has discussed in this section. A 13bus system has
taken into consideration for the analysis of PV impact
on the conventional distribution network. The PV has
integrated to each load bus except Sourcebus, 650 and
rg60. The bus voltages have been plotted for different Bus names based on Distance from Substation
penetration level of PV shown below. (c)
A. Impact on the Bus Voltages Figure 4: Per Unit Bus Voltages with 1000kW PV Capacity
a) Phase-1, b) Phase-2, c) Phase-3
A 13bus system (Figure-2) is taken for the analysis and
PV is integrated to each load bus and buses are arranged Figure 4: shows the Per Unit voltage of all 3-phases at
in order of increasing distance from substation. Y axis with respect to the buses at X axis. It can be seen
Sourcebus (Substation Bus) is infinite bus. It has been that as the PV penetration increases from 0 to 1.1 pu in
considered that the substation bus is directly connected the distribution system the voltage of the buses increases
to the grid that can supply and absorb a large amount of respectively. If the irradiance from the sun varies over a
power without voltage deviation. day, it will cause of voltage fluctuations on the buses.
Case-1 Pmpp=1000kW: - In this case 1000kW Case-2 Pmpp =2000kW: - In this case 2000kW
capacity has installed and the irradiance value has Capacity has installed at each bus and the irradiance
increased from 0 to 1.1 pu. The per unit voltage has value has increased from 0 to 1.1 pu.
shown on Y axis with respect to the buses X axis. The
voltage plot has shown for increasing irradiance with
fixed installed.

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 2019 3rd International Conference on Recent Developments in Control, Automation & Power Engineering (RDCAPE)

bus-650 and bus-rg60 and the impact of high PV

penetration has identified for different irradiance
level. The PV capacity Pmpp=2000kW has integrated
to each load bus of the distribution system.

Bus Names

Bus names based on Distance from Substation

(a)

Bus names based on Distance from Substation

(a)

Bus names based on Distance from Substation

(b)

Bus names based on Distance from Substation

(b)

Bus names based on Distance from Substation

(c)
Figure 5: Per Unit Bus Voltages with 2000kW PV Capacity
a) Phase-1, b) Phase-2, c) Phase-3

From figure 5: it can be observed that the voltage has

further increased with increase of PV penetration and
also identified that the voltage limits get violated for
phase-2 at bus-645, 646 and for phase-3 at bus-
684,611. The above figures show that voltage
fluctuation is less at the bus near the substation and
the voltage fluctuated more at the bus far away from
the substation.
B. Impact on Legacy Devices (OLTC)
In this case auto control of voltage regulation
transformer i.e. the On-line Load Tap Changer
(OLTC) is enabled which is incorporated between
Bus names based on Distance from Substation
(c)
Figure 5: Per Unit Bus Voltages with 2000kW PV with OLTC
a) Phase-1, b) Phase-2, c) Phase-3
Figures 5. shows that as the PV penetration level
increases the Taps of the load Tap Changer (OLTC)
decreased to maintain the system voltage within the
ANSI limits [17]. Hence it can be observed that the total
number of Tap operations increases with variation of the
irradiance.

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 2019 3rd International Conference on Recent Developments in Control, Automation & Power Engineering (RDCAPE)
C. Mitigation Methods
Voltage is an important parameter of the electrical
power system, the performance of the equipments
connected to the system highly dependent to the
terminal voltage. Hence it is necessary that the voltage
should be in the permissible range. The On-line Load
Tap Changer (OLTC) and Smart Inverter has
implemented to minimize the overvoltages.
Figure 6: Bus Voltages of Phase-1 with Smart Inverter
Figure 7: Bus Voltages of Phase-2 with Smart Inverter
Figure 8: Bus Voltages of Phase-1 with Smart Inverter
Figure 6 to 8 show the voltage plot of all three-phases
with voltage control methods to mitigate the voltage
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overvoltage and under voltage problems. The OLTC can
mitigate the overvoltage but in case of instant voltage
fluctuation a short duration peak will be observed which
cannot be mitigated by OLTC because of its slow
mechanical response. The smart inverter helps to
mitigate the overvoltages by controlling the flow of
reactive power in the system. It can mitigate the short
duration peak due to fast response of power electronic
devices used in the inverter, that is by it is called smart
inverter.
Without Control
With OLTC
With Smart
Inverter
PV OFF When PV ON PV OFF
Figure 9: Per Unit Voltages of the System with PV in
Daily Mode
Figure 9: shows the per unit voltage of the system over
a 24-hour time period without voltage control and with
voltage control. Three plots have shown in figure for
without voltage control, with OLTC and smart inverter
control at the daily irradiance level. The results show
that the smart inverter improves the under voltage
during PV OFF period by in supplying reactive power.
However, mitigate the overvoltage during PV ON
period by absorbing reactive power.
IV. CONCLUSION
From above analysis it has been observed that the
integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) in distribution
system has several impact on the low voltage
distribution network. The low level of PV integration
improves the system voltage profile also minimizes the
overall power losses in the system by reducing the total
power demand from the substation. But as the
integration of the PV exceeds the integration limits, the
voltage range set by ANSI gets violated and also the
system losses starts increased.
Hence it can be concluded that high penetration of PV
in distribution system causes several impacts on the
system parameters such as voltage rise, voltage
fluctuation and power losses. The above discussed
issues limits the integration of PV in distribution system.
The PV can be integrated upto a feasible limit,
integration of PV above a certain limit causes the
voltage violation, increase in operation of Load Tap
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 2019 3rd International Conference on Recent Developments in Control, Automation & Power Engineering (RDCAPE)
Changer (LTC) and extra power losses in the system.
The PV integration limits can be decided on the behalf
of the issues discussed in this work. To mitigate the
impact of high penetration of PV in low voltage
distribution network the voltage control devices can be
installed such as smart inverter control method, OLTC
and D-STATCOM can be employed. The hosting
capacity can also be increased with the voltage control
devices. A 33-bus system was analyzed to determine the
hosting capacity. It was observed that the PV hosting
capacity increases with the voltage control devices such
as OLTC and smart inverter.
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